Huangming

Chapter 152 The Sharp Edge of the Jade Tablet, the Heavenly Silk Melts Gold

To the east of the imperial city stands the Imperial Examination Hall.

The Gongyuan was where students took the imperial examinations.

Next to the examination hall, there were more than a dozen courtyards that were temporarily requisitioned by the imperial court to serve as the Anxue Academy, to accommodate students who came to the capital to take the imperial examinations.

now.

Fang Congzhe, Sun Ruyou, and Sun Shenxing, the chief examiner of the Gengshen imperial examination, stood in front of the Anmin Guild Hall. The three had come to check on the preparations for the imperial examination, but unexpectedly, a clerk from the guild hall came to report that the students of the Anmin Guild Hall were gathering to discuss political affairs.

Upon hearing this, Sun Shenxing's expression changed drastically.

With the imperial examination just around the corner, these candidates mustn't cause any more trouble.

As soon as Fang Congzhe, Sun Ruyou, and Sun Shenxing stepped inside, they heard a heated argument coming from inside the hall.

"Gentlemen, please take a look at page fifteen of the Huangming Daily!"

A scholar in a blue robe slammed his hand on the table and pointed at the contents of the newspaper, exclaiming loudly: "Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, has arrived in the capital, offering 20,000 hectares of land and one million taels of silver. His Majesty is overjoyed and has granted him permission to enter the palace to meet Consort Zheng! This is His Majesty's benevolence and leniency towards the imperial princes!"

A tall, thin student standing nearby sneered and retorted, "Donate land? Those fields were forcibly seized from the people! Now it's simply returning them to their rightful owners. As for a million taels of silver, the Prince of Fu's treasury holds far more than ten million. This amount is just a drop in the ocean, and it's earned him a reputation for 'loyalty and filial piety'!"

Another person clapped his hands in agreement: "Exactly! The Huangming Daily even wrote that Prince Fu 'requested to reduce the power of the princes,' but look at his palace in Luoyang, which is more luxurious than the Forbidden City. What kind of 'reduction of the power of the princes' is that?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ruyou frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Sun Shenxing.

These students, with exams approaching, instead of reviewing the classics, are here making irresponsible remarks about the princes?
Sun Shenxing sighed softly and said in a low voice, "These students are more outspoken than those old hands in the court."

As they were discussing, a sharp-eyed student suddenly spotted the three high-ranking officials and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Grand Secretary Fang! Grand Secretary Sun! And Minister Sun!"

Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed, and the hall fell silent instantly.

Fang Congzhe stroked his beard and smiled, gesturing for everyone to dispense with formalities: "Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. I've noticed you're all discussing the *Huangming Daily* quite enthusiastically. I wonder if anyone would like to share their thoughts on the Prince of Fu's trip to the capital?"

A bold student stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Excellency, I believe that Prince Fu's trip to the capital, ostensibly to 'plead guilty,' is actually a test! If Your Majesty lets him off easily, I fear that all the princes in the land will follow suit. After all, no matter how much corruption they commit, they can be exonerated by offering a few melons and dates!"

A young examinee beside him nodded in agreement, saying, "That's true. But His Majesty's order for the Huangming Daily to publish this matter probably has a deeper meaning."

He pointed to a line of small print in the corner of the newspaper and said, “Look, everyone, the land offered by the Prince of Fu has been distributed to the refugees in Henan. This is a blatant scheme: it makes the prince relinquish his ill-gotten gains while also winning over the hearts of the people for His Majesty.”

Sun Shenxing snorted coldly, his sharp eyes sweeping over the students in the hall: "You are all scholars who understand principles. Now that the imperial examination is just around the corner, you should be studying to pass the imperial examination and be on the list of successful candidates. Why waste time discussing politics?"

One student countered, "The Imperial Daily published His Majesty's golden words: 'The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen!' He also said that he cares about family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs. Even though we are scholars who cannot even kill a chicken, we dare not be without a heart to serve our country!"

“Zhang Sheng is absolutely right. His Majesty has only been on the throne for a short time, yet he has already taken swift and decisive measures to reorganize the capital garrison and investigate the Shanxi merchants. Now he is also reprimanding Prince Fu. This is a sign of a revival of the dynasty. As students of this reviving dynasty, how dare we not cherish the desire to serve our country?”

Sun Shenxing continued, “Deliberating on politics is not something you can do. If you are used by those with ulterior motives, you will not even qualify for the provincial examinations. How can you talk about serving the country then? Don’t you know the importance of being careful in your words and actions?”

The students looked at each other, and the sharp edge of their argument immediately subsided.

Sun Shenxing added meaningfully, "Now that you have read the Huangming Daily, you should understand that what His Majesty wants are people who are capable and practical, not those who are good at empty talk. You should learn to be good at your skills so that you can serve the country with practical work, instead of just talking nonsense here."

"What you say is absolutely right, Minister. I have learned a lot."

The candidates dispersed in twos and threes.

Sun Shenxing watched the departing candidates and sighed deeply. He said to his colleague beside him, "These candidates are so keen to study the Huangming Daily because of the rumors circulating in the city. They say that although the provincial examination questions may not be related to the current affairs, the palace examination questions will definitely test the current affairs and important news recorded in the newspaper."

He shook his head and said with a wry smile, "No wonder these scholars are now more concerned about the news in the court than the Six Ministries' Censors."

When superiors have certain preferences, subordinates will inevitably follow suit.

Sun Shenxing, as the chief examiner of the Gengshen examination, was also quite helpless.

Fang Congzhe sighed and said, "How could these candidates have known about the previous decrees? Now that there is the Huangming Daily, everyone in the world knows about His Majesty's decrees. The Huangming Daily is truly His Majesty's masterpiece."

Upon hearing this, both Sun Ruyou and Sun Shenxing fell silent.

For the emperor, the Huangming Daily was a stroke of genius.

But for them, it's not like that.

The Huangming Daily, this novel thing, may seem like just an ordinary official gazette, but in reality, it has driven these high-ranking officials in the cabinet to a dead end.

In the past, when court audiences were presented, it was possible to maneuver discreetly; now that the facts are in black and white, there is no way to make amends even if one wanted to.

He looked up toward the direction of the Qianqing Palace, and in a daze, he seemed to see the ink words on the newspaper transformed into thousands of sharp swords, hanging high on the top of the Wenyuan Pavilion. If he was not careful, his name would be prominently displayed on them tomorrow. At that time, not only would his career prospects be ruined, but even the inscriptions on his ancestral tombs would be cursed.

Now, I can only demand more of myself.

Fang Congzhe looked at Sun Shenxing meaningfully and said, "This imperial examination is the first since His Majesty ascended the throne, and it is also the examination that has been delayed for nearly two years. It is very important. Minister Sun, you must not make any mistakes."

Sun Shenxing's expression hardened upon hearing this.

This imperial examination, delayed for two years, was the first grand ceremony to select talents after the new emperor ascended the throne, and all the eyes of the court officials were fixed on the examination hall.

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice, saying, "I understand. If there is even the slightest mishap in this examination, not only will those watchful officials impeach me, but I will also be unable to explain myself to His Majesty."

He was the chief examiner promoted by the emperor. If there were any mistakes in the examination, it would be a slap in the face to His Majesty, and it would be Sun Shenxing who would die.

How could he dare not be cautious?
Fang Congzhe nodded, but there was worry in his heart.

If one is truly careful and cautious about the high school entrance examination, can mistakes be avoided?
the other side.

Qianqing Palace.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, the charcoal fire crackled. Zhu Youxiao sat upright behind his desk, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips, his gaze calmly fixed on Prince Fu, Zhu Changxun, who was kneeling on the ground.

This imperial uncle was obese, and when he knelt down, the jade belt around his waist was almost embedded in his fat. The beads of sweat on his forehead left dark marks on the blue bricks.

"Please rise, Imperial Uncle."

Zhu Youxiao raised his right hand slightly and said in a calm and unhurried voice, "This time, the donation of one million taels of silver and twenty thousand hectares of land is truly exemplary for the imperial family. I am very pleased."

Zhu Changxun did not rise, but instead wiped away his tears with his sleeve, choking back sobs as he said, "Your Majesty, please understand! These past years in Luoyang, I have missed the late Emperor and my mother every day. The expenses of our household have all come from the gifts bestowed upon us by my father in the past. Now, to show my loyalty, I have even sold my mother's dowry."

Two streams of hot tears streamed down his fat face as he pitifully said, "Your Majesty, look! This robe of mine is made of old material from the thirty-eighth year of the Wanli Emperor's reign!"

Wei Chao, who was standing to the side, twitched his lips slightly—the old robe was clearly a piece of brocade newly presented as tribute from Suzhou and Hangzhou, and the gold thread on the cuffs still shone.

This guy actually came to him to complain about his troubles.

Zhu You sighed and said, "The country is in ruins. I worry about the country day and night, often reviewing memorials until the third watch of the night. There are Jurchens outside, and peasant uprisings inside. The officials in the court are scheming against each other. I don't even have a single confidant by my side."

With tears in his eyes, Zhu Youxiao stepped down from the throne, took the Prince of Fu's hand, and said as if from the bottom of his heart, "Now, in this world, only my Imperial Uncle is the person I am closest to. If even my Imperial Uncle does not help me, how can I govern this country well?"

Zhu Changxun's fat face twitched, and his tear-streaked face went blank.

This...this isn't right, is it?

Today I was supposed to come here to complain, how did it turn into you, the emperor, complaining?

"You've squeezed out six million taels of silver and twenty thousand hectares of land from me. I'm the one who's suffered the biggest loss!" Zhu Changxun said with a bitter face, "Your Majesty, I've given six million taels of silver and twenty thousand hectares of land. The Prince of Fu's mansion is almost starving."

Zhu Youxiao held Prince Fu's hand tightly and said, "This year's military expenditure in Liaodong is five million taels. In addition, it will cost more than ten million taels to make up for the arrears of the nine border regions. The construction of new camps is expected to cost at least five million taels. I will be in dire need of money."

The emperor said to Prince Fu, "Uncle, I can't live without you!"

If Zhu Changxun was faking his tears before, he is now crying for real.

I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone as shameless as you.

"Your Majesty, I truly have no money left."

Zhu Youxiao shook his head and said, "I believe in my uncle's patriotism."

"The Prince of Fu's mansion simply can't squeeze any more money out of it."

"There are always more solutions than problems. I trust my Imperial Uncle."

Zhu Changxun said with a sob in his voice, "Your Majesty is my own nephew. How can you take advantage of me alone? The other princes don't lose any less money than me, and they can also love their country."

At this point, Zhu Youxiao was no longer sleepy.

"Cough cough."

Zhu Youxiao coughed twice and said, "The country is in ruins and everything needs to be rebuilt. I estimate that there is still a shortfall of ten million taels. If you, my uncle, can get the princes of the country to donate generously, I will not let you suffer alone."

numb!

Zhu Changxun was stunned.

It's not enough that you've already taken advantage of me; you also want me to become a traitor and wreak havoc on the other princes?

Ten million taels of silver—where did that money come from?
"Your Majesty, I am foolish and dull."

Zhu Youxiao chuckled and said, "Uncle, you are naturally intelligent, how can you say you are dull? If you don't understand now, you can think about it slowly later. One day, Uncle will understand."

One day I'll figure out what this means.
If I can't raise ten million taels, I won't be able to go back to Luoyang.
Bitter!

Zhu Changxun couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

My life is so damn miserable.

Seeing Zhu Changxun crying like a child in front of him, Zhu Youxiao said, "Go to Renshou Palace to see the Imperial Concubine."

"Waaah~ Thank you, Your Majesty."

Prince Fu left the East Warm Pavilion shakily, while Zhu Youxiao watched his retreating figure and gently shook his head.

The local princes possessed enormous wealth, so naturally he would target them.

Ten million taels of silver is not much to them.

of course
These are all one-off transactions.

Most of the wealth remained with the local gentry of Jiangnan.

Those people are the truly wealthy!
Prince Fu walked slowly, panting, until he arrived outside Renshou Palace. He dragged his bloated body into the palace and saw Consort Zheng leaning against the couch, her temples gray and her face haggard.

In this winter, Consort Zheng seemed to have aged ten years in an instant. Her former noble air had vanished, and she now looked like a frail old woman.

Zhu Changxun knelt down and bowed, choking back tears, saying, "Mother, your unfilial son pays respects to you."

Consort Zheng was shocked to see Zhu Changxun suddenly arrive at Renshou Palace.

"My son, why have you come to the capital?"

A look of worry appeared on her face.

How could you get into the capital?

When a vassal king enters the capital, isn't that putting him at the emperor's mercy?

Consort Zheng walked up to Zhu Changxun and saw that the blisters on his neck had not yet healed. Her heart ached, and she reached out to touch him but then withdrew her hand. She whispered, "My son, you have suffered."

Zhu Changxun forced a smile: "I'm fine, but seeing how haggard Mother looks makes me very sad."

Consort Zheng chuckled and said, "I'm already an old woman, so why do you say I look haggard?"

It turns out that her treatment had improved recently because her son had been transferred to Beijing.

This harem is still so realistic.

"Why does His Majesty want you to come to the capital?" Consort Zheng asked.

At this point, Prince Fu's face fell, and he threw himself onto Consort Zheng, crying and complaining, "His Majesty demanded six million taels of silver from my son and also seized twenty thousand hectares of land."

Imagine the scene of a 300-pound fat man acting cute.

Upon hearing this, Consort Zheng immediately understood the Emperor's meaning.

"His Majesty wants you to raise ten million taels?"

Zhu Changxun nodded aggrievedly and said, "Those princes wouldn't pay even if they had the money. Getting their money is harder than getting their lives!"

Consort Zheng said slowly from the side, "If all else fails, then stay in the capital."

To raise ten million taels?
This is too difficult.

“But if my son doesn’t return to Luoyang, I’m afraid all his assets there will be wiped out.”

Having experienced the ups and downs of life, Consort Zheng had come to understand the ways of the world.

She gently patted Zhu Changxun's shoulder and softly comforted him, "My son, your life is the most important thing. Although the Tenth Prince's Mansion is not as luxurious as the Luoyang Prince's Mansion, you are still a prince of the imperial family and the current emperor's uncle. His Majesty will not do anything to you. In your mother's opinion, you should stay in the capital and live peacefully. As time goes by, it will be His Majesty who will be anxious to urge you to leave the capital. After all..."

She paused meaningfully, then said, "His Majesty must always consider the dignity of the imperial family."

Zhu Changxun's eyes lit up, but he also looked somewhat worried.

"But what if His Majesty has no regard for his reputation?"

Consort Zheng was stunned for a moment, then sighed and said, "Then you should try your best to raise the money. If you can't raise ten million taels, but you can raise four or five million taels, I'm sure His Majesty won't make things difficult for you."

Four or five million taels?
That's difficult!

Prince Fu was calculating in his mind, and he was getting ruthless.

We need to send someone to impeach the vassal kings of Shu, Chu, and Zhou, because they don't do much better things than him.

There's no reason for him to suffer in the capital while these people are living the high life in their fiefdoms.

In order to return to Luoyang, you vassal kings, please help me by contributing some money!
The poor Taoist will not die, fellow Taoist!
(End of this chapter)